14. Accusations of Witchcraft against Alice Kyteler, Kilkenny, Ireland 1324
Here we see the front of Kyteler’s Inn, in Kilkenny, where you may purchase witchy things and enjoy an evening out, in, supposedly, the inn established by Alice Kyteler. The amount of misinformation rolling around the globe concerning Alice is quite impressive. As for the pub, there are pieces of it which date back to the 13th century, and it’s possible that Kyteler had something to do with the building. But despite what you’ll be told, she didn’t entertain people at an inn there. For one thing, there wasn’t an inn there until 1639. For another, Kyteler, a member of the Anglo-Norman gentry, didn’t run a pub. Really.
In 1324, Alice Kyteler and several other Anglo-Norman citizens of Kilkenny were accused of witchcraft. Kyteler’s husband had died under suspicious circumstances, and the new bishop was obsessed with witchcraft: perfect storm. What do your hosts believe? Yes to the poisoned husband. No to the nine red roosters and the four and a half peacocks. And her cohorts, including Petronilla de Meath, who was burned at the stake? Wrong place, wrong time. Oh, and Kyteler got away.
